Page 6 of Off Limits
‘Allow me, ma’am,’ I say, beginning to reach over.
Seeing the card in my hand, the woman lets out a gasp. Turning to face me, I see her even clearer. Those eyes, they’re…striking. But that doesn’t even cover it. Her eyelashes are so long, coated in black mascara and lined with shadow. Okay, so I’m not sure she’d pass the Mom test, but fuck that, she passesmytest, and then some.
‘Oh no,’ she stutters, ‘I can’t ask you to do that.’
‘You didn’t ask,’ I say. ‘I’m offering.’
She shakes her head, looking like she’s desperately trying to compose herself. ‘Really,’ she says, in the sweetest way. ‘It’s a very kind offer, but I—’
She tails off. She’s facing me, this beautiful, sweet girl with the most amazing hair and eyes, and I’m overpowered by the idea that right now, I might be able to help her.
‘I insist,’ I say and turn to the cashier.
‘Thirty-four, eighty-five,’ the cashier says sharply as I tap the reader.
The woman breaks out into a grin, shaking her head furiously in shock. ‘I… I don’t know what to say,’ she says, her hands going to her mouth as the cashier starts ringing up my groceries. ‘That was the kindest thing. Thank you so much.’
‘Anytime,’ I say.
‘Seriously, I—’ she begins, all flustered again. ‘I’m so grateful.’
With that, she scoops up her tote bag, her paper bag of groceries and walks backward toward the store exit, giving me a slight wave as she goes. The only thing going through my mind is how desperate I am for the cashier to double the speed of her movements right now.
I stay cool as possible, but once I’ve paid, I’m out the door, my eyes darting left and right in the plaza parking lot. I can’t see her.Fuck, I curse silently to myself. I should have asked for her name. Her number. Anything.
I wipe one hand against the back of my head in disappointment, until I look up and she’s right there, smiling at me, clutching a handful of dollars between her fingers.
You can’t leave this lot without asking for her number, Walsh.
‘I had it!’ she says with a grin. ‘It was in my car all along. Please, let me pay you back.’
Her cherry red fingernails grasp the cash in front of me, but I hold up my own hand in response. ‘Really, no, that’s not necessary. I’m happy to pay. You keep the money.’
‘No, I couldn’t possibly!’ she raises her voice, sweet but assertive. ‘You don’t need to be a hero. Take it. I can’t not repay you.’
‘How about this,’ I suggest. ‘How about you keep it, and instead you buy me coffee sometime? I mean, uh… if you’re available.’
She seems to flush red again. ‘Oh, I, uhm…’ She smiles. ‘I… you’re sweet, thank you.’
She thinksI’msweet. ‘Is that a yes?’ I prompt.
She’s shy, and for a moment I wonder if I overstepped the mark and misread her completely. ‘I don’t know about that. I’d rather you took my money.’ She takes a step closer, as do I.
‘One drink. Please. Or at least tell me your name.’
‘Serenity,’ she says.
‘I’m Jake,’ I say tentatively, and I wonder if she recognizes me, but doesn’t admit it out of good manners. Either way, I’m glad.
‘Nice to meet you, Jake. Please, take my money. I’m so sorry, but I have to go, I’m late for practice.’ She urges the cash toward me, but I ignore it. What I can’t ignore is how close she is, and the way her hand briefly brushes against mine.
‘Practice for what?’
She looks down at where our hands touched but doesn’t hesitate against the movement. ‘Oh, I mean, for class. It’s a, uh… an evening class.’
‘And the drink?’
‘Oh, that.’
